Reanimator Thrash All-dayer - Irish Centre - Sat 15th Septmember.

Eight quid doesn't go very far these days.... when I first started going to gigs, cue misty-eyed nostalgia...

Then again you get days like this. All hail Pete Povey and his crew for assembling a line up of 10 up-and-comers for the aforementioned sum and at a venue selling quality Guinness - tough life eh???

Hallowed Point got the show on the road. They weren't helped by a sludgy sound but got a reasonable reception although they were a bit too formulaic for me.

Dark Forest were next up and things started looking up. Old school thrash infused with contemporary metal would be close - lead singer/guitarist very much in the Dave Mustaine mould - one to keep an eye on.

Scythian.... I have to point out that from the earliest days of black metal I haven't been a fan of the genre - there is a point where speed and brutality compromise power - but at least they didn't wear corpse-paint!

Let Em Burn. I will be keeping a very close eye on this lot - great vibe from the start of the set, good old fashioned garage thrash - debut album due early 2008 these guys deserve to do well. Slight bias here - did manage a reasonable chat with the bassist and one of the guitarists shortly after the set.

Deceptor. Didn't see too much of their set (late back from the chippy)... Of the songs witnessed they were clearly very technical in a thrash/death crossover fashion. Last song of the set was Running Wild's "Under Jolly Roger" suitably beefed up from the original and setting off the first respectable pit of the day - I have to confess that this tune has been infused into my grey matter ever since, so I probably need to see a full set.

Seregon. Bumped into the lead singer very early in the day - knew he was slightly eccentric but wasn't expecting the early set rampage around the venue to get a pit going. They were celebrating signing their first deal which probably explains a slightly loose set.. think I need to see them again to form a more considered opinion. Thrash/death crossover.

Mutant. Let's just say I can see why there is a buzz about this lot. Insane vocalist/guitarist (who started most of the circle pits for the following bands) great frontman, fun thrash. Zombie Holocaust was the standout for me... new EP out at the moment, album next year? Superb live, great entertainment - deserve to join the elite.

Pitiful Reign. Always dangerous having any connection with failure in your band name. Didn't cut it for me at all.

Gama Bomb. Fast. Very fast. Vicious even - will go far. Sound wasn't great for them - in the right venue this mob will be murderous. Serious pit action.

Evile. Much talked about, new album just out, justifiable headliners?? Yup - stunning. Mindblowingly tight and very assured for a band so early in their career. Classy yet savage, fuse so many elements of the Big Four whilst sounding completely original. See them as soon as possible - destined to be huge - hopefully bigger than Trivium think they will be (excuse the mock.. chuckle, chuckle). Genuinely good songwriters too - We Who Are About To Die is very close to genius, builds from brooding opening into monstrous riff which will be slaying fans in stadia around the globe very very soon. Highlight of the set but everything oozed quality.

In conclusion what a showcase. Exceptional value for money, great to mingle with the bands who were all laid back and glad to be with their contemporaries. Keep your eyes peeled for future Reanimator presentations.